Ford Falcon GT: quicker model due September

The fastest version yet of the Ford Falcon GT will be unleashed in September.

Ford Performance Vehicles, the local performance arm joint owned by Ford Australia and British engineering company Prodrive, has yet to officially confirm the model but a media launch set for mid August is understood to be for the new model.

The updated Falcon GT, first reported by Fairfax Media, will feature the same 335kW 5.0-litre V8 but is expected to deliver improved acceleration and handling as a result of a modified suspension.

The new GT takes on new importance after the future of FPV became uncertain in June when the company axed its general manager, Rod Barrett, and a number of employees as part of what it called a “restructure of its business”. Barrett was replaced by Prodrive’s managing director, Bryan Mears.

The FPV GT received the ‘Coyote’ V8 in October 2010 as part of a major update to the Falcon performance range. FPV invested $40 million in the local development program for the engine that is based on the powerplant found in the US Ford Mustang. The GT is currently priced from $71,290.

FPV revealed a GT-based concept (main image) at the 2011 Australian motor show, which “demonstrated the possibilities, explored the future … with the evolution of FPV product”. There were no changes to the V8 engine here, either, but instead the all-black muscle car featured underpinnings tuned for track use, a performance brake package, and a number of visual treatments inside and out.

A modern-day Ford Falcon GT-HO that would supplant the GT as a Falcon flagship still seems as unlikely as ever, however.

While it was a publicly stated desire by former FPV boss Barrett, the company has struggled to calculate a business case that would justify the required investment at a time when Falcon sales continue to plummet.